A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…

6. To show that Christ is not only a desirable Friend, but a dreadful Adversary. You must close with him as a Saviour, or else you shall find him to your cost to be a mighty God; you must submit to him, or be destroyed; you must accept of Mercy▪ or feel the Power of his Wrath. And thus in Scripture Christ is represented with a golden Sceptre, and with an Iron Mace, to dash his Enemies in Pieces like a Pot•e••• Vessel; you must touch his golden Sceptre, or feel the Weight of his Iron Rod: He that saveth can punish, and crush as well as comfort. Again, we read of a Banner of Love, and of a flying Roll of Curses; and therefore as there is Mercy and Sweetness in Christ, so he is represented as a dreadful Adversary. Usually we presume on God's Mercy, and fear Man's Power; but this should not be so. O! observe the Counsel the Lord gives, Isa. 27.5. Let him take hold of my Strength, that he may make Peace with me. Blessed God! who is able to grapple and deal with thee in thy Strength? but we overcome by yielding. Let us humble our selves betimes, that's taking hold of his Strength, and making Power our Friend: It is an Allusion, not to a Wrestler, for so how can our Hands be strong, and our Heart endure in the Day he shall deal with us? but to a Suppliant, when a Parent or Master is ready to strike, the Child takes hold of his Arm, and seeks terms of Peace, and entreats him to pacify his Wrath: So saith the Lord, make Strength your Friend, then his Power, which otherwise would be your Enemy, is engaged to you.

6. To shew that Christ is not only a desirable Friend, but a dreadful Adversary. You must close with him as a Saviour, or else you shall find him to your cost to be a mighty God; you must submit to him, or be destroyed; you must accept of Mercy▪ or feel the Power of his Wrath. And thus in Scripture Christ is represented with a golden Scepter, and with an Iron Mace, to dash his Enemies in Pieces like a Pot•e••• Vessel; you must touch his golden Scepter, or feel the Weight of his Iron Rod: He that saveth can punish, and crush as well as comfort. Again, we read of a Banner of Love, and of a flying Roll of Curses; and therefore as there is Mercy and Sweetness in Christ, so he is represented as a dreadful Adversary. Usually we presume on God's Mercy, and fear Man's Power; but this should not be so. O! observe the Counsel the Lord gives,